Sermons on A Advent 1:

God's Christmas Gift

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Dec 12, 2005

We celebrate Christmas because of God’s gift..His only begotten Son

This year I have experienced many firsts. Last week was my first Karaoke. It was fun! Some of my English students took me and we had a great time. We sang Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Carpenters, Elvis Presley songs of many years ago. My students also sang a couple of Enca songs. I liked ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Pulling Down Walls Of Discrimination

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Dec 17, 2005

An advent sermon, learning to beat discrimination, learning from the geneology of Jesus

In one of the parishes where I worked, there were two families who were fighting over a property dispute. Both the families were rich and influential. Both tried to get the support of the local church in their favour. So they wrote to the parish council expressing their views and claims. One of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Catholic

A Risky Christmas

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the disturbing ’bad news’ we prefer to leave out of our cosy Christmas celebrations.

I wonder - have you ever thought how risky Christmas is? It’s official. RoSPA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - has issued regular warnings about a whole range of hazards just waiting to happen... all of them arising from what you thought were innocent, Christmas-related ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Impact Of The Christmas Baby

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking what impact the Christmas Baby actually has on our lives.

I wonder if you have finished your Christmas shopping yet? I’ve found it fascinating looking to see what "religious" gifts are available. What can you get for that special person which honours the fact that this is, actually, Christmas? What about a Bobble-Head Jesus, specially made to stand on ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Coming Of The King

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the enjoyment and ignorance that surrounds much of the world’s "Christmas" understanding.

I’m looking forward to visiting Middle Earth in a day or two... J.R.R. Tolkein’s "Lord of the Rings" - having been voted top book in the BBC’s "Big Read" - reaches its conclusion in the third cinema film "Return of the King". It’s so tempting to start drawing on Tolkein’s imagery. The conflict ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:16-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeking

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the search by the Magi and encouraging people to join in that search.

Some of the questions people ask about pregnancy - and answers ! Should I have a baby after 35? (No, 35 children is enough.) How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu? (If it’s the flu, you’ll get better.) What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fact Or Fantasy?

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking whether we regard the Christmas story as merely a story, or are there facts which should make us sit up and respond?

Christmas is a wasteful time ! Not a waste of time, but a wasteful time. In 1998 the UK threw away 2.5 billion cards, worth £350 million in the shops. If you stuck these cards end to end they would have stretched 236,000 miles - that’s nine times round the globe! We used a massive 85,000 miles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon (centred on the lyrics of a Graham kendrick song) asking how much difference Christmas makes in reality.

Most of us will break the law this Christmas ! The list of activities that are illegal to do on Christmas Day is fascinating & ridiculous. These laws have never been repealed and are still officially on the Statute Books: It is illegal to ride or drive to church, and illegal not to attend. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Here I Am Lord

Contributed by Todd Kornahrens on Dec 24, 2005

We can learn a lot from the faith of young Mary when she encounters the Angel Gabriel

One of the aspects of the Christmas Story that always fascinates and amazes me is the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus It shows us the power of our God, that he can change the rules of nature he can do things that have never been done before to accomplish his will That through the gift of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Heads Held High And Disciplined In Prayer

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 30, 2006

Encouraging believers to be disciplined in prayer and to keep their heads lifted up, because the words of Jesus will never pass away and he will indeed return with great power.

Luke 21: 25 to 36 Elvis Presley once sang, “You can burn my house, steal my car, drink my liquor from an old fruit jar; do anything that you wanna do, but uh oh honey stay off my shoes”! Elvis, of course, is dead. Jesus said (Luke 21:33), “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Anglican

Riches Untold

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 1, 2006

Advent - a time to reflect on God’s "Uncut Diamonds"

New Romney 03-12-06 THE TIN – Riches untold Story: In the late nineteenth Century in South Africa, an old man was digging for gold in a river bed. He had been at it for many years. Every now and then he found a little bit of gold, not enough to make him rich – ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Denomination: Anglican

Peace Sunday Series

Contributed by John Weeks on Dec 9, 2006

Basic overview of Christian Peace

Peace Sunday – December 8, 2002 Second Sunday of Advent By John L. Weeks Pastor, Southeastern Christian Fellowship Indianapolis, Indiana Scripture: John 14: 23(Jesus replied,) "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Time Of Joy Series

Contributed by Danny Nance on Mar 21, 2008

First-person narrative, preached in a series of narratives for Advent

A Time for Joy Luke 2:8-20 Greetings, good neighbors—I have a tremendous tale to share with you. My name is Jacob (my father named me after the great patriarch because he admired the man’s shrewdness and ability to get what he wanted). I am by trade a shepherd. Do not worry my friends, I am ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

As Promised In Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2006

2nd of Three in the series "The Prophets Foretold." Not an indepth manuscript but explores the promise and hope of the Messiah born in Bethlehem.

As promised in Bethlehem 2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, Too small to be listed among the cities of Judah--It was so small that in both Joshua 15 and Nehemiah 11 it is overlooked in ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God